5K started by the Ellis family 2 years ago renamed to honor fallen officer

The renamed Officer Jason Ellis Memorial 5-K Walk and Run was held Saturday in Bardstown.

This year the event was renamed to honor Ellis and raise money for both down syndrome research and Supporting Heroes, a charity that helps the families of officers killed in the line of duty.

In 2011, Ellis and his wife Amy organized a 5-K to raise money for down syndrome research.

BARDSTOWN, KY (WAVE) - Five months after the death of Bardstown Police Officer Jason Ellis, hundreds gathered to honor his legacy at an event Ellis and his wife began two years ago.

The renamed Officer Jason Ellis Memorial 5-K Walk and Run was held Saturday in Bardstown. In 2011, Ellis and his wife Amy organized a 5-K to raise money for down syndrome research. This year the event was renamed to honor Ellis and raise money for both down syndrome research and Supporting Heroes, a charity that helps the families of officers killed in the line of duty.

Police said Ellis was killed in the line of duty while clearing tree limbs from a road on May 25. He was shot several times on an off-ramp to the Bluegrass Parkway. Investigators think the tree limbs were intentionally placed there as part of a plan to kill him.